Check-writing machine.



A. MARKS.

CHECK wnmm; MACHINE.

1,176,389. APPucmo FILED MAY 26. 1915. Patented Mar. 21,1916

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CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, I915- Patented Mar. 21,

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CHECK WRITING MACHINE. APPLICATION men MAY 26. 1915.

Patented Mar. 21,1916.

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A. MARKS.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 26, 1915. 1,176,889. Patented Mar. 21,1916.

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ALBERT MARKS, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT.

CHECK-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed May 26,1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT MARKS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Britain, Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Check-\Vriting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to machines for imprinting words, letters, numbers or other characters upon strips of paper, for instance. checks and notes and preferably so as to prevent alterations.

The main object is to provide a relatively inexpensive but strong and reliable mechanism which can be readily operated and which will indelibly impress upon a check the words, letters, numbers or characters as required.

Another object is to automatically feed the check through the machine as the impression is made so as to avoid superposition of the impressions.

Another object is to cut the impression and ink it so that it cannot be erased or altered.

Another object is to provide an easy and convenient method of replenishing the ink supply.

Another object is to retract the inking device so as to permit free movement of the impression device.

One form of mechanism embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying four sheets of drawings and will be de scribed in detail hereinafter. In this form of construction the check is supported and guided on the base between gages which are adjustable for checks of different widths and different arrangement of blank spaces. The words, numbers or other characters are formed as cutting teeth on the surface of.

the segment of a. sphere. This segment is adapted to be rotated about one axis to set it for the desired Word. number or character. The segment is oscillated about a horizontal axis at right angles to the setting axis for the purpose of passing the impression teeth over the face of the check. A cooperating toothed cutting roller is mounted beneath the base and brought up against the bottom of the check as the impression segment is rocked on its horizontal axis. The

'coaction of the impression segment teeth Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 30,498.

at the same time. When the segment is re leased it is automatically brought back to its normal positionv by a spring. During the return movement of the impression segment the lower cutting roller is depressed so as to leave the check free. A friction device is provided for yieldingly holding the check against movement, the tension however is not sufficient to prevent the forward feed of the check during the impression action. An inking roller is provided to engage the teeth of the impression segment as the segment is oscillated. This inking roller is automatically retracted to clear the setting handle of the impression segment. The tension device and the inking roller are both carried by a bridge which is adapted to be moved away from the impression segment so as to facilitate access to the inking roller and other parts.

F igure 1, is a plan view of the entire machine in its normal position of rest. Fig. 2, is a front elevation and partial vertical section on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end elevation and partial vertical section on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4, is a vertical section and elevation on the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 1 showing the spring for returning the impression segment to its normal position f rest. Fig. 5 is a. vertical section on the plane of the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, showing the ratchet connection between the operating shaft and the lower check engaging roller. Fig. (l. is an end elevation and partial vertical section on the plane of the line 66 of Fig. 1 showing the parts in the position near the end of the lmpression stroke. Fig. 7, is a detail edge view of the impression segment and partial section on the plane of the line 7 7 of Fig. 8. Fig. 8. is a view of the underside of the impression segment. Fig. 9, is a fragmentary detail view and partial section on the plane of the line 9-9 of Fig. 2 showing the connection between the operatin g shaft of the impression segment and the device for operating the lower impres ion roller. Fig. 10, is a detail perspective vitw showing the check tension device and the inking roller and the supporting parts. Fig. 11, is a detail perspective view of the tension device alone. Fig. 12, is a detail perspective view of the cam and ratchet member forming the operating connection between the shaft of the impression segment and the arm for raising the lower impression roller. Fig. 13, is an enlarged View showing one of the impression sectors of the impression segment.

The base 15 serves as a supporting surface for the cheek and carries all the parts of the mechanism. Gages 16, 16 are provided for the edges of the check and each of these preferably has a slotted extension 16 and a screw 17 for clamping it in adjusted position. A finger 18 is also provided to hold down the check near the impression position. A tension device 19 rests on the face of the check and is preferably pressed downward by a spring 20 so as to frictionally hold the check and prevent it from accidental displacement. This tension device may be retracted by a finger piece 21.

The impression segment 25 has a number of words, characters or numbers 30 cut in sectors of its face as sharp teeth. This segment is mounted on a pin 26 in the yoke 27 and has an operating knob 28. The back of the segment has a plurality of recesses 29 corresponding with the impression faces 30. A spring pressed ball 31 is adapted to engage in these recesses so as to yieldingly hold the segment in its appropriate position. Indicating characters are provided on the upper face of the segment 25 corresponding with the impression faces. The segment is preferably surrounded by a casing 32 for protection and this casing is provided with an indicating opening 33 for displaying the character whose impression face is in the operative position. In Fig. 1 the letter H is dlsplayed indicating that the impression sector having the word Hundred is in position for impressing the check. It will be noted that the indicating character is diametrically opposite to the impression sector which it represents. The yoke 27 has a stud shaft 34 supported in a post 35. A handle 36 is secured to the end of this stud shaft 34 for oscillating the impression segment in one direction. The edge 37 of the base acts as a stop against the forward movement of the handle 36 and the pin 38 acts I? a stop for the shoulder 39 in the opposite direction. The impression segment is automatically returned to its normal position by a spring 40, oneend of which bears against the stationary pin 41 and the other end of which engages the lug 42 on the yoke of the impression segment.

A lower impression cutting roller 45 is carried by the pivoted frame 46 and is normally under tension in a downward direction by the spring 47. This roller 45 is adapted to be raised through the opening 48 by alever 49. The lever is operated by a cam ring 50 on the stud shaft 34. Thee stud shaft carries a spring pressed plunger 51 which is adapted to engage in notches 52 in the inner wall of the cam ring. The oscillation of the stud shaft 3% rotates the cam ring step by step and thus alternately forces the upper arm of the lever 49 to the right to lift the lower impression roller -15 and then allows the upper arm of the lever 49 to move to the left into one of the notches 53 so as to permit the spring 47 to retract the lower impression roller on the return of the impression segment 25 to its normal position.

The inking of the impression sectors of the segment 25 is accomplished by a felt covered roller 55 across the face of which the impression sector passes as the segment is oscillated. This inking roller 55 is preferably mounted on a readily movable pin 56 in a trough 57 so as to better retain the ink and permit ready replacement of the rollers. It is preferable to retract the inking roller out of the path of the setting knob 28 as shown in Fig. 6 so as to avoid smearing the knob. For this purpose the trough 57 is carried by a plate 58 which is pivoted at 59 and normally under tension of the spring 60. This plate 58 is provided with a projecting shoulder 61 adapted to be engaged by the cam face 62 on the yoke 27 of the impression segment. An inclined 5 cam-like shoulder 63 may be provided for engaging the end of the handle of the pin 56 to work the pin back in case it starts to work loose.

For convenience in repair. replacement and attachment the tension device 19 and the inking roller 55 are carried by a bridge piece 65 which may be readily moved away from the impression segment. In the form shown this bridge piece is pivoted at 66 and provided with a catch at 67 for holding it in position. When the catch is released the bridge piece and attached parts may be swung away from the impression segment.

By withdrawing the knob 28 the impression segment member may be removed for any desired purpose and a new one with words and characters in any language or style of type substituted. In Figs. 6 and 7 the spindle 26 on which the impression memher is mounted, is shown provided with a pin 26 engaging in a key slot 25 in the rotary impression member and before the spindle can be withdrawn this pin must be brought into register with a key-way 27 provided for this purpose in the arm of the yoke 27. The ink roller may similarly be removed and a new one of any color substituted.

To operate the mechanism In writing a check or other strip or blank, the gages .or guides are first set, the paper inserted and the finger piece 21 depressed to allow the blank to be inserted to a proper position. The segment 25 is then set by means of the knob 28 to the desired. letter, word or numeral or other character. The handle 36 is then depressed its full extent. This rocks the impression segment 25 and the cam ring 50 moves the lever 49 so as to raise the lower toothed impression roller 45 and cause it to engage the lower side of the check at the same time that the teeth of the impression sector engage the upper side of the check thereby simultaneously cutting the paper and feeding the check forwardly a distance corrcs 'ionding to the length of the sector on the impression segment. 'lhe teeth of the iin 'iression sector being inked carry the ink through the paper in the act of cutting so that the word. number or other character is printed on the front and on the back of the check at the sf'me time. At the end of the downward stroke the roller on the upper end of the lever 49 snaps into one of the notches 53 in the cam ring 50 and allows the spring 47 to -retract the lower impression roller, thus allowing the paper to fall to its normal position while the impression segment is returned to its normal position under impulse f the spring 40. The impression segment is then reset to the next number, word or character and the operation repeated, the tension members 15) holding the paper during the intervals between the impression steps. By this construction and mode of o 'ieratiori the paper is always fed in accordance with the word or character'printed and there is no possibility of the check failing to feed or an impression being duplicated except by intention.

What- I claim is:

1. In a machine of the character described, an oscillating impression member, an inking device. a pivoted support therefor. and a cam movable with said impression member and engaging said pivoted support in the illating movement of the impression memfor retracting said support.

in a machine of the character described, a e e-ringing impression member, a swinging inking roller, a removable pivot pin for said roller. and a cam positioned to be engaged ihe end of said pin in the swinging movet of said inking roller.

In a machine of the character described, a movable impression member having a setting knob, an inking roller disposed in the path of movement of said setting knob, a guard plate for said roller, and means for retracting said inking roller automatically out of the path of the knob as the knob passes by the same.

4. In a machine of the character described, a movable impression member having a setting knob, an inking roller disposed in the path of movement of said setting knob; and means for retracting said inking roller automatically out of the path of movement: of the knob as the knob passes by the same.

5. In a machine of the character described, a base provided with an upstanding shaft support, a shaft above the base, journaled in said support on a horizontal axis, a printing wheel journaled on said shaft on an axis at a right angle to the axis of said shaft and provided with printing faces on the rim thereof arranged as arcs of circles described about the axis of the shaft as a center, an impression member on the base cooperating with the printing faces of said printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to carry a selected printing face to the lowermost side of the wheel and means for rocking the shaft to carry the selected printing face. into cooperative relation with the impression member.

6. In a machine of the character described, a base provided with an upstanding shaft support, a shaft above the base, journaled in said support on a horizontal aXiS, a printing wheel journaled on said shaft on an axis at a right angle to the axis of said shaft and provided with printing faces on the rim thereof arranged as arcs of circles described about the axis of the shaft as a center, an impression roller journaled on the base on an axis parallel to the axis of the shaft,

means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to carry a selected printing face to the lowermost side of the wheel and means for rocking the shaft to carry the selected printing face into cooperative relation with the impression roller.

7. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably supported impression member, a supporting shaft journaled on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the impression member, an impression wheel journaled on the supporting shaft at an angle to the axis of the shaft, printing faces on the rim of said printing wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the axis of the shaft as a center and arranged to be carried by rotation of the wheel on its axis into a plane of engagement with the rotatable impression member, means for rotating the impression wheel to select the printing faces desired and means for rotating the shaft to carry the selected printing face into impressionmaking engagement with the impression member.

8. In a machine of the character described. a rotatably supported impression member. a supporting shaft journaled on an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the impression member, an impression wheel journaled on the supporting shaft at an angle to the axis of the shaft, printing faces on the rim of said printing wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the axis of the shaft as a center and arranged to be carried by rotation of the wheel on its axis into a plane of engagement with the rotatable impression member, means for rotating the impression wheel to select the printing faces desired, means for rocking the supporting shaft a limited distance to carry the selected printing face into impression-making engagement with the impression member and back to initial position free of the impression member and means for automatically separating the impression member and printing wheel at the end of the impression-making engagement.

9. In a machine of the character described, a pivotally supported yoke having spaced supporting arms, a printing wheel journaled between said arms on an axis at an angle to the pivotal axis of the yoke, printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the pivotal axis of the yoke as a center, an impression member arranged to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to bring selected printing faces into the plane of engagement with the impression member and means for rotating the yoke on its pivotal axis to carry the selected printing face into impression-making engagement with the impression member.

10. In a machine of the character described, a pivotally supported yoke having spaced supporting arms, a printing wheel journaled between said arms on an axis at an angle to the pivotal axis of the yoke, printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the pivotal axis of the yoke as a center, an impression member arranged to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to bring selected printing faces into the plane of engagement with the impression member, means for limiting the rocking movement of the yoke on its pivotal axis, means for rocking the yoke in one direction to carry the selected printing face into impression-making engagement with the impression member and means for automatically returning the yoke in the opposite direction.

11. In a machine of the charactefdescribed, a pivotally supported shaft carrying spaced supporting arms, a printing Wheel journaled between'said arms on an axis at an angle to the pivotal axis of the shaft, printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the pivotal axis of the shaft as a center, an impression member arranged to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to bring selected printing faces into the plane of engagement with the impression member and a handle connected with one end of the shaft for rotating the shaft on its pivotal axis to carry the selected printing face into impression-making engagement with the impression member.

12. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably mounted supporting shaft, a printing wheel journaled on said shaft at an angle to the pivotal axis of the shaft, printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the pivotal axis of the shaft as a center, an impression member arranged to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to bring the selected printing faces into the plane of engagement with the impression member and means for rotating the shaft on its pivotal axis to carry the selected printing face into impression making engagement with the impression member.

13. In a machine of the character described, 21 rotatably mounted supporting shaft, a printing wheel journaled on said shaft at an angle to the pivotal axis of the shaft, printing faceson the rim-of said wheel disposed on arcs drawn from the pivotal axis of the shaft as a center, an impression member arranged to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to bring the selected printing faces into the plane of engagement with the impression member, a stop limiting rotation of the shaft in one direction to a position wherein the printing faces on the printing wheel are disengaged from the impression member, yielding means for normally holding the shaft rotated into said position of inaction and o crating means connected with the shaft or rocking said shaft in the op osite direction to carry the printing faces se ected into printing engagement with the impression member.

14. In a machine of the character described, a base, a shaft rotatably supported on the base, a printing wheel journaled on said shaft at an angle to the axis of the shaft, a. cam ring pivotally engaged on the shaft, a pawl and ratchet connection between the shaft and said cam ring, a bell crank pivoted on the base having an upstanding arm engaging said cam, and an impression member engaged by the other end of the bell crank and adapted to be carried thereby into printing engagement with the printing wheel.

15. In a machine of the character described, a pivotally mounted shaft, a 'yoke mounted on one end of said shaft having spaced supporting arms, a printing wheel engaged between said arms, a spindle removablv engaged in.said arms on an axis at right angles to the axis of the shaft and provided with an operating finger-hold at one end. said spindle being removablv keyed to the printing wheel for manipulating the same'and whereby upon removal of said spindle. diti'erent printing wheels mav be substituted, means for rotating the shaft and yoke carried thereby and an impression member cooperating with the printing wheel.

16. In a machine of the character described, a base, an upstanding support on said base, a shaft journaled in said support, spaced longitudinally extending arms carried by said shaft, a printing ivheehngaged between said arms, and an operating s indle pivoted in said arms and conn ected with said printing wheel, printing, faces on said printing Wheel disposed on arcs described with the axis of the shaft as a center, and an impression roller journaled on the base in position to be engaged by the printing faces of the printing wheel.

17. In a. machine of the character described, a pivotally mounted support, a printing'wheel journaled on said support on an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the support, an operating finger-hold on one side of said printing wheel, an inking device yieldingly supported adjacent said printing wheel, an impression member arranged to cooperate with the printing wheel, means for rocking the support to carry the printing wheel into operative engagement with the impression member and means on the pivoted support engaging the inking device in the rocking movement of said support to force said inking device out of the path of movement of the finger'hold on the printing wheel.

18. In a machine of the character described, a base, a printing Wheel supported above the base, an impression member on the base cooperating with said printing wheel, a guide-way extending across the base beneath said printing wheel, a bridgepicce pivoted to the base at one side of the guide-way, and extending above the guide way across to the opposite side thereof, a catch detachably holding said bridge-piece in position extended across the guide-way, and tension fingers yieldingly pivoted on the bridge-piece projecting into the guideway, said tension fingers being provided with an exposed finger-piece for operating the same.

19. In a machine of the character described, a base, a printing wheel supported abov the base, an impression member on the be :e cooperating with said printing wheel, a guide-way extending across the base beneath said printing wheel, a bridgepicce pivoted to the base at one side of the guide-way and extending above the guideway across to the opposite side thereof, a catch detachably holding said bridge-piece in position extended across the guide-way, tension fingers yieldingly pivoted on the bridge-piece projecting into the guide-way, said tension fingers being provided with an exposed finger-piece for operating the same, and an inking device yieldingly supported on said bridge-piece in position to be engaged by the printing Wheel.

20. In a machine of the character described, an impression wheel having toothed cutting faces on the rim thereof extending transversely of the rim and arranged as seetors of a sphere described about the center of the impression wheel, and means whereby said wheel may be rotated on said center to bring different toothed cutting faces into cutting position, and a rocker mounting for said wheel, and an impression member to coact with said cutting faces one at a time.

21. In a machine of the character described, a base, a shaft rotatably supported on said base, a printing wheel carried by said shaft, a cam ring loosely engaged on said shaft, means for oscillating the shaft, a pawl and ratchet connection between said shaft and the cam ring whereby in the oscillating movement of said shaft in one direction the cam ring will be shifted, an impression member mounted on said base for movement toward and away from the printing wheel and a lever pivoted on the base operatively engaged by the cam ring at one end and having an operating connection with the impression member at its opposite end.

22. In a machine of the character described, a supporting yoke having substantially parallel side arms, a rocking support for said yoke, a spindle journaled in said arms at right angles to the axis of said rocking support, a printing wheel engaged on said spindle between said arms having typefaces on the rim thereof and holding recesses in the face adjoining one arm bf the yoke, a yielding detent mounted in said arm of the voke engaging in said recesses to hold said printing Wheel in its adjusted position and a finger hold on the end of the spindle for turning said spindle and printing wheel against the tension of the yielding detent.

23. In a machine of the character described, a pivotally mounted support, a printing wheel pivoted on said support on an axis intersecting at a right angle the axis of the pivoted support, transversely extending printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed as segments of a sphere whose center coincides with the intersection of the axes of the pivoted support and the printing wheel, an impressio n member moved into engagement with the printing face opposed to said impression member. when the pivoted support is rotated on its axis, means for rosupport is rotated on its axis, means for roan axis intersecting at a right angle the axis of the pivoted support, transversely extending printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed as segments of a sphere whose center coincides with the intersection of the axes of the pivoted support and the printing wheel, an impression member moved into engagement with the printing face opposed to said impression member when the pivoted support is rotated on its axis, means for rotating said pivoted support on its axis, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to carry selected printing faces in'to cooperating relation to the impression member, 'a guard carried by and movable with the pivoted support covering the inoperative printing faces of the printing wheel and 00- operating indicating means oarried by said printing wheel and guard for indicating which printing face is in cooperating relation with the impression member.

. 25. In a machine of the character described, a pivotally mounted support, aprinting wheel pivoted on said support on an axis intersecting at a right angle the axis of the pivoted support, transversely extending printing faces on the rim of said wheel disposed as segments of a sphere whose center coincides with the intersection of the axes of the pivoted support and the printing wheel, an impression member moved into engagement with the printing face opposed to said impression member when the pivoted tating said pivoted support on its axis,

26. In a machine of the character de-.

scribed, a pivotally mounted support, a printing wheel pivoted on said support on an axis intersecting at aright angle the axis of the pivoted support, transversely extending printing faces on the rim of said wheel .disposedas segments of a sphere Whose center coincides with the intersection of the axes of the pivoted support and the printing Wheel, an impression member moved into' engagement with the printing face opposed to said impression member when the pivoted support is rotated on its axis, means for rotating the printing wheel on its axis to carry selected printing faces into cooperating relation to the impression member, means for rocking the pivoted support on its axis in one direction to carry the selected prmting face into printing engagement with the impression member, means for automatically carrying the impression member out of print ing engagement with the printing face at the end of such printing contact, and means for automatically rocking the pivoted support on its axis in the opposite direction back to a position of rest.

.LJBERT MARKS.

Copies of this patent my be obtained for lie cents each, by addressing the Commissioner o! Patents,

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